Rethinking Suicide: How we can do better
“In an average day, 17 veterans die by suicide — not in a far-off place, but right here at home. Two service members die by suicide every day of the year. They’re our daughters. Our sons. Parents. Spouses. Siblings. Beloved friends and battle buddies… Each of these precious lives leaves behind loved ones who feel their absence every single day, like a black hole in the middle of their chests.” —President Biden, CNN 11/2/21
Suicide is a major public health issue and among the top ten causes of death in the United States. More veterans die by suicide than in combat.
My guest discussed why it’s important to rethink our approach to suicide prevention and consider what is being done wrong since rates continue to rise. It’s time to reduce the stigma and blame around suicide and rethink how we can change things as a society instead of only seeing death by suicide as the result of a mental illness.
Listen Now to About Health—KPFA.org, 94.1FM (11/8/21)
*https://kpfa.org/player/?audio=367506*
Guest: Craig J. Bryan, PsyD, ABPP, is a board-certified clinical psychologist and the Stress, Trauma, and Resilience (STAR) Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. He is the author of “Rethinking Suicide, Why Prevention Fails, and How We Can Do Better. His research on suicide has led to the development and refinement of interventions that significantly reduce suicidal behaviors, and has been featured in major media outlets including Scientific American, CNN, Fox News, NPR, USA Today, New York Times, and the Washington Post. Dr. Bryan has published hundreds of scientific articles and multiple books, and has received numerous awards and recognitions for this work.
24 hour National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255
(Languages: English, Spanish)
The Doctor Is In: Covid, Flu, and Your Health Questions
Listen now for the show we did on 10/25/21 on About Health—KPFA.org 94.1FM
https://kpfa.org/player/?audio=366388
Harry McIlroy, MD is an integrative physician certified with the Institute for Functional Medicine. He has a background in nutrition and holds a Master’s degree in acupuncture and Chinese medicine. He is the Clinical Director of BioReset Medical’s San Francisco office. He has practiced integrative medicine for over 25 years and is a leading expert in nutritional and plant based medicines, including medical cannabis. He continues his focus on treating chronic disease with Functional and Regenerative medicine and Dr. Harry strives to provide patients with health tools that empower them to improve their well being.
Diet for a Small Planet: 50th Anniversary
Listen now to About Health on KPFA.org, 94.1FM—10/11/21
https://kpfa.org/player/?audio=365451
Join this dynamic mother and daughter team who have been working tirelessly to show that “Plant-centered eating can help restore our damaged ecology, address the climate crisis, and move us toward real democracy.” We talked about how changing yourself and the world can start with changing the way we eat.
“Without changing our diets, agriculture alone could make it impossible to stay within the greenhouse gas essential limit of 1.5 degrees centigrade.” —small planet institute.
Frances Moore Lappé is the author or coauthor of twenty books, including the three-million copy Diet for a Small Planet, and just published is this book’s 50th updated anniversary edition. The Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History describes Diet for a Small Planet as “one of the most influential political tracts of the times.” Frances is co-founder of Oakland-based Food First and the Cambridge-based Small Planet Institute, which she leads with her daughter Ana Lappé. The recipient of twenty honorary degrees, Frances has been a visiting scholar at MIT and U.C. Berkeley and in 1987 received the Right Livelihood Award, often called the “Alternative Nobel.” New York Magazine dubbed her “Movement Mother” and Gourmet Magazine named her as one of 25 people—from Thomas Jefferson to Julia Child—whose work has changed the way America eats. She is a founding member of the World Future Council and serves on the National Advisory Board of the Union of Concerned Scientists. Frances is co-founder of three national organizations—Oakland-based Food First, the Center for Living Democracy, and her current home, the Cambridge-based Small Planet Institute, cofounded with her daughter Anna, and where her son Anthony Lappé, is Media Advisor.
Anna Lappé, Co-founder of Small Planet Institute, is a national bestselling author, a respected advocate for sustainability and justice along the food chain, and an advisor to funders investing in food system transformation. She leads Real Food Media, based at Corporate Accountability International, which she founded to bring together leading food and farm organizations to produce powerful communications initiatives to inspire, educate and grow the movement for sustainable food and farming. Her most recent book is Diet for a Hot Planet: The Climate Crisis at the End of Your Fork and What You Can Do About It. She also helped edit the recipe section of the new, 50th anniversary edition of her mother’s book, Diet for a Small Planet. A James Beard Leadership Awardee, Anna is the co-author or author of three books on food, farming, and sustainability and the contributing author to thirteen more. In more than two decades of organizing, Anna has helped direct millions of dollars to advocate for food justice and sustainability around the country and the world. Anna’s research on food systems has taken her to more than 25 countries and 100 US cities. In addition to her philanthropy through the Small Planet Fund, Anna is the director of the Food & Democracy program of the Panta Rhea Foundation and is an active participant of several funder collaboratives building more just and sustainable food systems worldwide.
The Embodied Mind
The Embodied Mind shows us that the mind is not constrained to the brain. Our mind relies on all of the cells in our body…it’s more like a network than one specific location. And what does epigenetics teach us about our environment and the part it plays regarding our health and happiness?
Listen now to About Health, KPFA.org, 94.1 FM—9/13/21
**https://kpfa.org/player/?audio=363857**
“Genes don’t make us who we are. Gene expression does. And gene expression varies depending on the life we live. In other words, the food we eat, the water we drink, the air we breathe, our interpersonal relationships, and our relationship to ourselves – they all affect us on a deep biological level which in turn affects our minds. Recent discoveries in epigenetics have made it abundantly clear how nature (genes) and nurture (the environment) work in concert. It is not one or the other that is responsible for a disease or personality trait. The only thing we know for sure is that we are the product of a dynamic interaction between these forces and that nothing about us is written in stone.“—Dr. Thomas Verny
Thomas R. Verny is a clinical psychiatrist, academic, and author of eight of books and 47 scientific papers, including The Secret Life of the Unborn Child, which was published in 27 countries. His most recent book, The Embodied Mind, will be available on 10/5/21. He has participated in more than 250 newspaper, radio and TV interviews, including appearances with Donahue, Merv Griffin, Oprah, Sally Jessy Raphael, Barbara Walters, and Unsolved Mysteries—these interviews are available at trvernymd.com. He has taught at Harvard University, University of Toronto, York University (Toronto), and St. Mary’s University of Minnesota. Thomas lives with his wife in Ontario, Canada.
Family Medicine During The Pandemic
Listen now! KPFA.org—94.1FM, 8/30/21
**https://kpfa.org/player/?audio=363073**
Have you been putting off going to your doctor for routine care because of Covid-19? Do you have questions about the vaccines or other medical issues. The doctor is in.
Guest:
Dr. Hiten
Patel is a family medicine doctor at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center where he provides care to patients of all ages and across all care settings. He has special interest in disease prevention and telemedicine. He has a passion for the use of technology in health care and how technology can improve the health of communities.
He was the Chief Resident at Ohio State University Family Medicine Program and has been a Gold Humanism in Medicine Honor Society Member since 2017.
Troubling Times: A Deep Look Towards Hope And Health
These past years have brought to light so many questions to consider about our health, our countries health, and the health of our world. From the pandemic, to the insurrection, to our climate emergency—many of us have deep questions about what this unique time is teaching us and how we can survive as a species.
Listen now https://kpfa.org/player/?audio=362113
94.1FM, KPFA.org—About Health
As seen on a Sussex Directories Inc site
Dr. Ariane Eroy is a psychodynamic and transpersonal psychologist who has spent 25 years working in community mental health clinics. (Her academic research focused on prisoner re-entry.) Her understanding is not merely informed by psychoanalytic psychology, politics, and the environment but also yoga, the works of Gurdjieff and Ouspensky’s Fourth Way, Alice Bailey’s Theosophy, the writings of Benjamin Creme, and the Masters of Wisdom on Esoteric Christianity.
She believes that modern psychology needs to foster diverse kinds of healing, and promote each individual’s evolutionary trajectory, as well as explore the psychological meaning underpinning social change.
Dr. Eroy maintains that the symbolic nature of events provides us with essential keys to our times. These keys can fortify us, while clarifying what is ours to do– especially in light of the the Climate Emergency, and as more and more people strategically work towards establishing peace, justice, and sharing moving forward.
Culture, Care, and Covid
How can we address the ills of people who have been, and continue to be, struggling with the emotional and physical distress in this time of Covid?
There is a shortage of mental health professionals, especially in immigrant communities and communities of color. There is also suspicion of the Covid vaccine, sometimes based on medical racism and mistrust.
Join us to hear of some of the innovative programs that are being developed with community health workers, known as Promotores. The grassroots approach to building community capacity engages Promotores, strengthening their leadership skills as they connect people to needed services, and resources.
**Listen now to the show on August 2, 2021 on KPFA.org radio, 94.1FM**
https://kpfa.org/player/?audio=361359
Guest:
Dr. Jorge Partida PsyD, is a clinical and research psychologist, specializing in addiction and trauma. He is an author, consultant, and national speaker integrating Native Ancestral Teachings with traditional Western psychotherapy. Born in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, Dr. Partida immigrated to Chicago at nine years of age and there, obtained his Bachelors Degree in Clinical Psychology from Loyola University and his PsyD from The Illinois School of Professional’ Psychology. Dr. Jorge has been a consultant on many national and international projects designing and implementing clinical programs to address addiction, education, health, community building, diversity and spirituality. He has worked with local and national governments to coordinate services for those most impacted by poverty, war, and displacement. He has worked in Liberia, Africa in the repatriation of boy soldiers, forming “intentional communities” in war and poverty-impacted countries such as Colombia, Peru, and Mexico. Dr. Jorge has served as Director of Substance Abuse and Deputy Director of Behavioral Health for San Francisco’s Department of Public Health. He was also Director of the PsyD Program at John F. Kennedy University. Most recently Dr. Jorge served as Clinical Director and Director of Family Treatment for Alo Recovery Centers in Malibu, CA. Dr. Jorge is the author of “The Promise of The Fifth Sun” and “A Week of Awakening.” (Both titles are also written in Spanish) His writing integrates psychology with native healing traditions creating a client centered, participatory approach to health and wellness. For more than 20 years, Dr. Jorge has presented mental health segments on television and radio with networks, including Univision, Telemundo, HITN-TV in Spanish and CBS, UPN, NBC and PBS in English.
How the Culture of Medicine Kills Doctors and Patients
Are you getting the medical care you hoped for? Perhaps you really like your doctor and feel listened to and well treated. Or maybe you’re frustrated with the lack of coordinated medical care, unconscious bias, and medical systems that don’t keep patients well-being at the center of their decisions. Most people agree that the US health care system is broken, but there is also a less talked about problem to address— “physician culture.” My guest, Dr. Robert Pearl, says, “Doctors are not heroes or villains. They produce remarkable successes and abysmal failures.” We’ll discuss what doctors do well, and how some miss the mark on compassionate, science based, high quality, and effective medicine for all.
**Listen now to About Health on KPFA.org—94.1FM, (7/12/21)**
https://kpfa.org/player/?audio=360279
ROBERT PEARL, M.D.
is the former CEO of The Permanente Medical Group (1999-2017), the nation’s largest medical group, and former president of The Mid-Atlantic Permanente Medical Group (2009-2017). In these roles he led 10,000 physicians, 38,000 staff and was responsible for the nationally recognized medical care of 5 million Kaiser Permanente members. Named one of Modern Healthcare’s 50 most influential physician leaders, he is an advocate for the power of integrated, prepaid, technologically advanced and physician-led healthcare delivery. He serves as a clinical professor of plastic surgery at Stanford University School of Medicine and is on the faculty of the Stanford Graduate School of Business, where he teaches courses on strategy and leadership, and lectures on information technology and health care policy. Board certified in plastic and reconstructive surgery, Dr. Pearl received his medical degree from the Yale University School of Medicine, followed by a residency in plastic and reconstructive surgery at Stanford University.
He is the author of “Mistreated: Why We think We’re Getting Good Healthcare—And Why We’re Usually Wrong,” and his most recent book is, Uncaring: How the Culture of Medicine Kills Doctors and Patients. All proceeds from the book go to Doctors Without Borders.
Dr. Pearl hosts the podcasts Fixing Healthcare and Coronavirus: The Truth and he publishes a newsletter, Monthly Musings on American Healthcare. He has published more than 100 articles in medical journals and contributed to numerous books. From 2012 to 2017, Dr. Pearl served as chairman of the Council of Accountable Physician Practices (CAPP), which includes the nation’s largest and best multispecialty medical groups, and participated in the Bipartisan Congressional Task Force on Delivery System Reform and Health IT in Washington, D.C. Connect with Dr. Robert Pearl on Twitter @RobertPearlMD, LinkedIn, and at his website robertpearlmd.com.
A Personal Battle Against Alzheimer’s Disease
Listen now on About Health on KPFA radio— 94.1FM (6/28/21)
https://kpfa.org/player/?audio=359452
Alzheimer’s, which is a neurological disorder, affects 6.2 million Americans. “Worldwide, around 50 million people have dementia, and there are nearly 10 million new cases every year. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia and may contribute to 60–70% of cases.” —World Health Organization.
There is no cure for Alzheimer’s, but there is extensive clinical research being done. The pathological changes in a person’s brain start ten to twenty years before there is cognitive impairment…and so it’s vital that life style changes begin before typical symptoms show up. My guest, Dr. Daniel Gibbs, has been devoting his time to raising awareness about early-stage Alzheimer’s, and what people can do about it, in order to live a meaningful life for a longer time.
Guest
Dr. Daniel Gibbs is a retired neurologist in Portland Oregon, with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease. Having spent twenty-five years caring for patients, many with dementia themselves, he is now an active advocate for the early recognition and management of Alzheimer’s. He is the author, along with Teresa H. Barker, of the recently released book “A Tattoo on my Brain. A Neurologist’s Personal Battle against Alzheimer’s Disease”
Breakthrough Treatment: Psilocybin-Assisted Psychotherapy
**Listen now to About Health, (6/14/21) KPFA radio—94.1FM**
https://kpfa.org/episode/about-health-june-14-2021/
We discussed the research and best practices in psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy. This is being explored as a promising treatment for people with depression, OCD, anxiety, addiction and other mental health challenges. “Magic Mushrooms” have been used by many cultures since ancient times for medicinal and spiritual purposes. It is believed by some that taking psilocybin in a therapeutic setting can result in neuroplastic changes that can lead to improvement in mental health.
Guest:
James Keim, LCSW, is the founder of Mimosa Therapeutics, Inc., which uses bioreactors to grow research grade, natural psilocybin and other entheogens. He is a trauma and psychedelic therapist and is co-author of the book, The Violence of Men, and a contributor of chapters to over 10 edited books on psychotherapy. He has served as a Fulbright Specialist in Southeast Asia where he provided training to clinicians that treat victims of human trafficking. James heads the Institute for the Advancement of Psychotherapy’s Oppositional and Conduct Disorder Clinic.
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Is That Me Yelling? is available in most bookstores and at Amazon
"Engaging and practical, humorous and evidence-based, prescriptive but not preachy, authoritative yet never stuffy, Is That Me Yelling? quickly rises to the top of the many parenting books I've ever read. Rona Renner provides thoughtful and achievable solutions. If you're a parent who has ever yelled at your kid and wished you hadn't, this book is for you."
—Stephen P. Hinshaw, PhD, professor in the department of psychology at the University of California, Berkeley; and vice-chair of psychology at the University of California, S.F.
"Is That Me Yelling? is a complete and compassionate companion for every parent and educator. With excellent examples from her extensive professional and personal experience, nurse Rona illustrates fundamental psychological principles and functional parenting practices with empathy and enthusiasm."
—Marisol Muñoz-Kiehne, PhD, clinical psychologist, parent educator, radio host, and author.
